Sukma, Chhattisgarh – In a notable development for the region, 27 Naxalites laid down their arms in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Wednesday. Among the surrendered individuals, 16 were carrying a combined bounty of ₹50 lakh. This mass surrender was confirmed by a senior police official.
The event occurs just a day after a similar large-scale surrender, where 60 Naxalite cadres, including a senior figure, gave up their arms in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. These incidents align with the government’s stated objective, recently emphasized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to eradicate Naxalism, particularly in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, by March 31, 2026.
The 27 individuals who surrendered included 10 women. They presented themselves before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. According to Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, the primary reasons cited for their surrender were disillusionment with the “hollow” Maoist ideology, condemnation of atrocities committed by Naxalites against tribal communities, and the increasing presence and influence of security forces.
The surrendered cadres also expressed their positive reception towards the Chhattisgarh government’s ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, which aims to foster development in remote villages. Additionally, the state’s new surrender and rehabilitation policy was a significant draw for them.
Among those who surrendered was Oyam Lakhmu, a member of the Peoples’ Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion no. 1, considered a key military formation of the Maoists, who had a ₹10 lakh bounty on his head. Three other individuals – Madvi Bhima, Sunita alias Kawasi Somdi, and Sodi Mase – each carrying an ₹8 lakh bounty, were also part of the group. Several other cadres surrendered with rewards ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh on their heads.
Each of the surrendered Naxalites received an immediate assistance of ₹50,000 and will be further integrated into society through the government’s rehabilitation program. The Superintendent of Police urged all remaining members of the Maoist organization to renounce violence, assuring them safety and a dignified life.
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